If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

View Poll Results: in 3-5 years how will paul be in comparison with danny

Re: the future of paul george

Even in college he wasn't setting the world on fire. The WAC is pretty weak, and he was only a second team all-conference player? I'm not dogging on the guy, as I said earlier I like him, I'm just playing devil's advocate.

Fresno he play with a pretty bad team so he had to do everything too much.

The Following User Says Thank You to cdash For This Useful Post:

Re: the future of paul george

What's up with him only being in his 2nd (right?) year of playing the wing that I've read a few times? I never watched him at Fresno, I don't doubt him being recruited as a big, but his freshman year he didn't play the wing? I can't see anything about him that says he was an actual post, even in the WAC.

Re: the future of paul george

What's up with him only being in his 2nd (right?) year of playing the wing that I've read a few times? I never watched him at Fresno, I don't doubt him being recruited as a big, but his freshman year he didn't play the wing? I can't see anything about him that says he was an actual post, even in the WAC.

he started playing wing his somophore yr and didnt play much AAu thats why he wasnt recruit anywhere . Danny was the same way in not playing AAU.

Re: the future of paul george

George has the physical tools. His success will depend on his inner drive to succeed and how hard he is willing to work at it. (Hibbert has this, but not so much the physical tools.) All great players are never satisfied and are always working hard to improve their game.

“It is what we learn after we know it all that really counts” - John Wooden

Re: the future of paul george

George has the physical tools. His success will depend on his inner drive to succeed and how hard he is willing to work at it. (Hibbert has this, but not so much the physical tools.) All great players are never satisfied and are always working hard to improve their game.

Re: the future of paul george

I'm not meaning to call you out here, but how many of his collegiate games did you actually watch? Fresno State isn't on a great deal in our neck of the woods.

10-15 ive watch 10 washt st (Klay thomsen) games this yr. I have a collge basketball package and i have some web sites. I Watched USC UCLA the other night Malcome Lee didnt impress Honeycutt. USC had some quick pgs that were good. I get a crazy amout of collge games.

I will give u an example 2 nite at 10pm on channel 264 FCSP i get West Orgon vs St. Martin's on 262 FCSA i get Davidson vs West Carolina, plus about 20 more games mostly small schools. A lot of them on the west coast

Re: the future of paul george

I am more excited about Paul than I was when Danny came into the league. He's a lot younger than Danny, a lot smoother, a lot quicker, better naturally at rebounding the ball. He will play above the rim while Danny plays below it. He is a confident and aggressive player who...once he starts draining shots...he will not stop shooting it. He just appears to have a higher ceiling. But yes, it's impossible to know how it will turn out.

Re: the future of paul george

Based on pure talent, shooting stroke, size and length, youth, and fluidity he has the opportunity to be on tier with the very best in the league. It's an opportunity though and if he doesn't go through with it than that is too bad. His athleticism, shooting stroke, and student of the game approach is a ridiculous combination for a 20 year old that is just starting to get it.

Re: the future of paul george

Based on pure talent, shooting stroke, size and length, youth, and fluidity [paul george] has the opportunity to be on tier with the very best in the league. It's an opportunity though and if he doesn't go through with it than that is too bad. His athleticism, shooting stroke, and student of the game approach is a ridiculous combination for a 20 year old that is just starting to get it.

Re: the future of paul george

Lots of optimism about a guy who has proven very little in college or the NBA. I like him, but he has got a loooong way to go before reaching Danny's level. Until I see signs that he is putting it together (which is a ways away and not entirely fair to PG given the opportunities he's allowed), I have to go with under DG's level.

Re: the future of paul george

The scout wasn’t backing down. In five years, he said, the best player from the 2010 NBA draft won’t be John Wall.

Evan Turner?

Nope.

DeMarcus Cousins?

Nope.
More From Marc J. Spears

Derrick Favors?

Nope.

“In five years,” the Eastern Conference scout said, “Paul George will be the best player to come out of this draft.

“Trust me.”

Paul George?

Unless you’re a well-studied draftnik or hail from Fresno, Calif., chances are you haven’t heard too much about George – if you’ve heard of him at all. That’s OK with George. He’s about to go from relatively anonymous to relatively rich on Thursday, when he’s projected as a possible lottery pick in the draft.

And if you listen to the 20-year-old George – who clearly isn’t lacking for confidence – his climb toward stardom won’t end there.

“I feel like I have all the intangibles, all the tools to be one of the best players not only in this draft, but to play in this game,” George said. “It’s something I’m really taking to heart. My dream is to not only get drafted – that’s a goal of mine – but my dream is to someday be a legend at this game. I want to work to be that.”

Before George elevates himself to legend, he’ll need to introduce himself to NBA fans.

George grew up in Palmdale, Calif., in north central Los Angeles County. Among the past and present notable residents listed on Palmdale’s Wikipedia entry are John Wayne, Marion Jones and Debbie Rowe, the former wife of Michael Jackson. Craig Brackins, the junior Iowa State power forward who is projected to go in the draft’s second round, also is listed. As of Tuesday morning, George wasn’t.

George, who grew up as a fan of the Los Angeles Clippers, not the Lakers, averaged 25 points and 12 rebounds as a senior at Knight High School. He received scholarship offers from Georgetown and Penn State, but instead chose Fresno State. The decision paid off when he received enough playing time to average 14.3 points and 6.2 rebounds as a freshman.

By the time George’s sophomore year arrived, NBA scouts were already familiar with his athleticism and ability to play all three perimeter positions. One scout likened him to Tracy McGrady(notes) in terms of skills and demeanor. Listed at 6-foot-8 and 215 pounds, George averaged a team-best 16.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.2 steals while making 90.6 percent of his free throws as a sophomore. But he also averaged 3.2 turnovers and was inconsistent, scoring more than 20 points in nine games and fewer than 10 in four others – including a scoreless performance against rival San Jose State in front of several NBA scouts. The Bulldogs finished just 15-18 and didn’t play past the first round of the Western Athletic Conference tournament.

“He could be the best in his class,” a Western Conference NBA scout said. “He can also be the biggest bust, too. He went to Fresno State, but he didn’t set the place on fire. I question whether he understands what it takes to be a star, but I’m not saying he won’t.”

Said an Eastern Conference scout: “Scoring comes easy to him. If he played with a high motor he’d be top five. But even at his pace, he does a lot of things easy.”

Those scouts aren’t the only ones to question George’s energy and effort. It sounds as if he’s aware of the criticism as well. “At this next level,” he said, “you have to bring it every night.”

Along with George’s versatility and athleticism, his size and length have helped him move up draft boards. He stands nearly 6-9 in shoes and his wingspan measures 6-11. Every lottery team from eight through 14, with exception of the New Orleans Hornets, has worked him out.

“I’m just showing my full capabilities,” George said. “I’m showing I can defend. I have the ball-handling to make plays. I’m showing everything that I couldn’t show at Fresno and didn’t show. I think that’s really what is catching their eyes. I can be a complete package.”

Apparently, a few other people think so too. George received one of the NBA’s 16 invites to sit in the green room on draft night. His father, Paul George Sr., had promised to come to New York if George received an invitation. The elder George is scared of flying and wanted to save his first flight for something special. This qualifies.

“For him to take that flight to New York to get to see me in that moment, that would mean the world to me and my family,” George said. “I got so much riding on this. I got the whole city of Palmdale supporting me.”

George isn’t the only player in this year’s draft who either starred at an unheralded program or was obscured by the depth on his team’s roster. Here are nine more who figure to shed some of their anonymity on draft night.

Ekpe Udoh, Baylor, PF-C – Scout’s take: He doesn’t have a huge upside, but he is a quality big man who should be a solid pro for a long time. Might be the oldest player drafted at 23. A possible top 10 pick.

Luke Babbitt, Nevada, SF – Scout’s take: He’s a highly skilled offensive player and scorer. Has good size and can rebound. Athletic, tough. Can play both forward positions. Will need to improve defensively.

Larry Sanders, Virginia Commonwealth, PF-C – Scout’s take: He’s long and athletic. His tremendous wingspan helps him as a shot-blocker. He’s only played the game five, six years. Has an average back-to-basket game.

Eric Bledsoe, Kentucky, PG – Scout’s take: Lost in shadow of John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins at Kentucky. Decent shooter and defender. Tough, but will need to play point guard.

Solomon Alabi, Florida State, C – Scout’s take: Smart player, but his game – both offensively and defensively – is still raw. Has extremely good size. This is a gamble pick.

Kevin Seraphin, Cholet (France), C – Scout’s take: Effort-type big man with good hustle and energy. Somewhat undersized at 6-9. Cut in the mold of Paul Millsap(notes) and Brandon Bass(notes). Should be drafted in the 20s.

Hassan Whiteside, Marshall, C – Scout’s take: Raw, shot-blocking big man who has risen from obscurity. Good athlete who can run the floor. There are questions about his knowledge of the game.

Tibor Pleiss, Brose Baskets Bamberg (Germany), 7-0, 220 pounds – Scout’s take: Could drop to the second round and play overseas next season. Nice body and skilled, but not ready to help an NBA team now.

Re: the future of paul george

Rush was a safe pick. Most people viewed Rush as a solid role player but didnt have star or superstar poetential. I love Rush still he is what i expected really good defense his offense still needs work but he is a really solid player.